Patent GB-729977-A (GB)
Title: Garment press
IPC: D06F71/06
Filed: 1953-05-21
Abstract: 729,977. Ironing-presses. AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY CO. May 21, 1953 [Dec. 23, 1952], No. 14381/53. Class 138 (2). A garment press comprises relatively movable pressing members 10, 12, and a cylinder and piston motor 19 for causing relative closing movement of the members 10, 12, conduit means connecting a low pressure fluid source with the working face of the piston 64 when the press is open, a port 63a in the wall of the cylinder 63 uncovered to the working face of the piston only when the piston is in a position corresponding to a substantially closed position of the press, conduit means connecting a high pressure fluid source with the port 63a and a control valve in each of the conduit means. In the example shown, the head 12 is mounted on a lever 13 pivoted at 14, and is moved towards the fixed buck 10 by a toggle mechanism comprising a bell-crank 17 and toggle lever 20. The bellcrank 17 is pivoted at 18 and one arm is pivotally connected to the motor 19. The lever 20 is pivoted at 21 to a lever 23 which is pivoted at 24 to the head lever 13 and adjustable therein by means of a screw 25. The press is biased to its open position by springs 29, 42. Steam for heating the buck is supplied by pipes 32, 33, while flexible steam lines 34, 35 supply and exhaust the head 12. Steam for treating the garments may be supplied to the buck through a pipe 38, and to the head 12 through a valve operable by means of a control lever having finger bars 37a, 37b located adjacent a control handle 30 for the head. The handle 30 is fixed to a shaft 70 (Fig. 3) carrying an arm 71 which is adapted to operate a pilot valve 58. The motor 19 may be operated by compressed air or hydraulic liquid. In the example shown, a high pressure air source is connected to an air line 50 which branches into a low pressure line controlled by the handle 30, and a high pressure line 59 controlled by a foot pedal 31. The low pressure line includes a reducing valve 51, a pressure gauge 55, a needle valve 52 and a normally closed valve 57. A branch line 53 having a flexible section 53a to permit movement of the head 12, leads to the pilot valve 58 which is connected by a pipe 73 to a diaphragm 74. Operation.-With the press open, the operator moves the handle 30 downwardly against the bias of a spring 72, thereby opening valve 58 and allowing air to flow from line 53 through valve 58 and line 73 to the diaphragm 74. Downward movement of the diaphragm 74 opens valve 57 against spring bias, allowing low pressure air to flow through a line 75 to a slide piston type valve 76. The valve piston 76a is normally held in the Fig. 3 position by a spring 77 and allows air to flow from line 75 to a line 65 connected to the cylinder 63. The piston 64 is moved downwardly under low pressure to move the head 12 down on to the buck 10. After the piston 64 has passed the port 63a depression of foot pedal 31 opens a normally closed valve 60 against spring bias and allows air under full pressure to flow to the valve 76 and move its piston 76a upwardly to close the inlet from line 75. Air under full pressure then flows through valve 76, a line 66 and port 63a to the cylinder 63, so that the head is pressed against the buck with increased pressure. Operation of the pedal 31 before the piston 64 has passed port 63a, i.e. before the head 12 has contacted the buck 10, results in a raising of the piston 76a to shut off the low pressure air supply to the cylinder 63, and air under high pressure enters the cylinder 63 below the piston 64. Opening of the press is accomplished as follows: if the press is being held closed under light pressure by handle 30, release of this handle allows valve 57 to close so that air from cylinder 63 exhausts through line 65, valve 76, line 75, and an exhaust port 57a in valve 57. The exhaust from diaphragm 74 travels through line 73 and an exhaust port 58a in valve 58. If the press is being held closed under full pressure by foot pedal 31, release of this pedal causes momentary exhaust through a port 60a in valve 60, but when piston 76a returns to its lower seat the air in the cylinder exhausts through the upper part of the valve 76 and exhaust port 57a in valve 57.